Improved folding bedstead



UNITE STATES PATENT mirc.

TYLER HOWE, OF CAMBRIDGEPORT, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVED FOLDING BEDSTEAD.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 53,620, dated April 3, 1866.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, TYLER HOWE, of Cambridgeport, countyof Middlesex, and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in the Manner ot' Bracin g the Legs of Portable-Folding Bedsteads; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description, to wit:

My invention has for its object a cheaper, stronger, and more convenient brace than any other in use, and when the bedstead is folded up the braces are secured in such a manner as to keep them from injury. n

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe its construction and operation.

What I use in making these braces is No. 5 spring-wire. I use spring-wire for the reason that it is much stiii'er than the common wire of the same size. I cut this wire into lengths of about sixteen inches. Ithen bend one of the ends at right angles of sufficient length to reach through the side rail of the bedstead. These braces are attached to the inside of the rail, and the end passes through the rail to the outer side. To prevent the ends from drawing out they are headed. The holes in the side rails through which these ends ofthe braces pass must be large enough to allow the end to turnin the hole, so that the braces may act radially. The other ends are turned down, so as to form a hook. I hook this end into one of the crossbraces of the leg about one-eighth of an inch from the leg, using one brace for each leg.

In Figure l in the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, A is the side rail ot' the bedstead; B, the leg, and C the brace. This ligure represents a section of a bedstead when set up for use. D shows where one end of the brace passes through the side rail, and E where the other end hooksinto the cross-brace of the leg.

Fig. 2 represents the same section when folded up, and showing how the braces C are secured between the legs B and a pin, F, said pin being driven into the side rail.

Fig; 3 represents one of the braces C with the ends bent and ready to be applied to the bedstead.

I am aware that braces have been used for bedsteads previous to my invention, but not in this manner. Hooks have been used and fastened to the bedstead-rail by means of staples, making a link-joint; but when the bedstead is in use they give at the point of fastening to the side rail, and do not keep the legs firm 5 also, in transportation, the hooks'swing ab0nt,catchinginto anythingthey may comein contact with. Braces have also been made with the upper ends turned into an eye and fastened to the side rail by means of a screw or rivet passing through the eye into the rail; but both of these methods are liable to get out of order, are more expensive, and take up more space; consequently the side rails require to be made wider, so as to give room for fastening the upper ends ofthe braces thereto.

Y In constructing these portable folding bedsteads I make the legs B about half an inch narrower than the side rails, A, so as to allow of the braces C foldin g between the upper edge of the leg and the pin F, as seen in Fig.2. In this manner the braccsare secured in such a way that they cannot turn in either direction so as to come in contact with anything when the bedstead is not `in use.

Having described my invention, what I claim is as follows, viz:

The combination of the brace C, constructed substantially as described,with the rail A, the leg B, and cross-brace E, the whole being arranged in manner and so as to operate together as specified.

TYLER HOWE. Witnesses:

GEO. W. LEVERMORE,

ISAAC S. PEAR. 

